Abhishek Sharma’s cricket journey is a testament to his multifaceted talent and determination. From leading Punjab U16 to victory in the Vijay Merchant Trophy with exceptional batting and bowling performances to captaining India U19 to success in international tournaments, he has proven his leadership on the field.
Simultaneously, Abhishek has managed to excel academically, balancing his sporting commitments with a remarkable academic record.
Here’s the 10 Facts About Abhishek Sharma:Â
Birth and Domestic Cricket Career
Abhishek, born on September 4, 2000, in Amritsar, Punjab, plays for Punjab in domestic cricket. He is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm orthodox spinner
Cricket Runs in the Family
Raj Kumar Sharma, Abhishek’s father, aspired to play for the national team during his youth. As a left-hander, he faced stiff competition and couldn’t progress beyond the North Zone U22 level. He moved to the United Arab Emirates in hopes of playing international cricket. Realizing he wasn’t eligible to represent their national team, he returned to India and became a full-time coach for the Amritsar Game Association.
Dominating the U16 Circuit: Abhishek’s Stellar All-Round Performance
Leading the Punjab U16 team, Abhishek guided them to victory in the 2015/16 Vijay Merchant Trophy. He amassed 1200 runs in 12 innings, surpassing the second-highest scorer by over 450 runs. His three centuries were twice the number of the next best player. Abhishek averaged 109.09, with a top score of 226 not out.
As a bowler, he excelled even more, taking 57 wickets in seven matches, 20 more than the second-highest wicket-taker. He claimed eight five-wicket hauls, while no other player took more than three. His bowling average was 10.56, with a wicket every 31.05 balls.
Dominating Himachal: Abhishek’s Commanding Performance
In the opening game of the 2015/16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, Abhishek delivered an exceptional bowling performance. The Punjab U19 captain achieved figures of 17.4-15-7-9 in HP’s first innings, dismissing them for just 59 runs.
He followed this with figures of 23.4-17-12-6 in the second innings, as Himachal were bowled out for 99. Additionally, he scored 102 off 136 balls, aiding Punjab in posting 321 in their first innings. His all-round performance secured a victory by an innings and 163 runs for his team.
Guiding the U19 Squad: Abhishek’s Leadership Journey
Abhishek Sharma captained the India U19 squad, securing victory in the Youth Asia Cup 2016 in Sri Lanka. He also led the team to a 3-1 triumph in the 5-match Youth ODI series against England U19 at home. Subsequently, he played under Prithvi Shaw’s leadership in the 5-match Youth ODI series in England and the U19 Cricket World Cup hosted in New Zealand. India emerged victorious in both series, winning all their matches.
Youthful Leadership Milestones: Abhishek’s Historic Captaincy
At just 16 years and 105 days old, he assumed captaincy of the Indian Youth ODI team, establishing himself as the youngest Indian captain in Youth International cricket. Five days later, he made history again by becoming the youngest player ever to lead his team to victory in a youth international tournament.
Historic Bowling Feat: Abhishek’s Remarkable Performance
During the Youth Asia Cup final, Abhishek showcased remarkable performance, securing figures of 4/37 against Sri Lanka. This accomplishment marked him as only the second captain to achieve a 4-wicket haul in a Youth ODI tournament final. Piyush Chawla was the inaugural player to accomplish this feat, achieving 4/8 in the 2006 U19 Cricket World Cup final against Pakistan.
Promising Debut: Abhishek’s Impressive Entry into First-Class Cricket
Abhishek entered the first-class arena during the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy season, representing Punjab. In his debut match against Himachal Pradesh, he took to the crease with Punjab at 274/6 after conceding 729/8. Despite falling short of a century, he amassed 94 runs in his inaugural innings. Notably, he contributed to a significant 239-run partnership for the 7th wicket alongside fellow debutant Abhishek Gupta.
Academic Excellence: Abhishek’s Dedication Beyond the Cricket Field
Abhishek received strong support from his family to excel in academics alongside his burgeoning cricket career. Despite his achievements in age-level cricket, he managed to maintain an impressive 80% score while studying at Delhi Public School during his Class X.
Near Miss: Abhishek’s Close Encounter with IPL History
During his highly anticipated IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Abhishek took to the crease at No.6. Despite an impressive unbeaten 46 off 19 balls, he fell just four runs short of securing a half-century on his IPL debut. Had he achieved this feat, he would have become the youngest player ever to score a fifty in the IPL before turning 18.
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